Independent Advocacy Services for Children and Young People in Gwent

The Council seeks to directly award a 12-month interim contract (with option to extend 12 months) to the National Youth Advocacy Service (NYAS) for the provision of independent advocacy services across the Gwent region. Services include: Active Offer of Advocacy, issue-based advocacy support, Independent Visiting Service for children and young people in residential care, Families First child and young people advocacy, and Parent Advocacy for Families First and Children's Services. NYAS is the current provider and holds Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) registration, a statutory requirement for all advocacy service providers. The direct award is temporary and necessary to ensure service continuity while Welsh Government and local authorities develop a National Advocacy Framework for Wales and update commissioning toolkits. A compliant competitive procurement process will follow once the national framework and supporting documentation are finalised. This may be undertaken on a Gwent regional basis or as part of a wider national arrangement. The contract commences 1 July 2026, with an 8 working day standstill period from UK6 Notice publication. Future supplier engagement will keep interested parties informed of the forthcoming competitive procurement route.